Nikephoros II Phokas

Nikephoros II led a campaign that recaptured the island of Crete from the Arabs after a long siege of Chandax. This victory eliminated a major pirate base and restored Byzantine control over the eastern Mediterranean.

Nikephoros II Phokas was proclaimed emperor after the death of Romanos II. He was a successful general who had recaptured Crete. His accession was supported by the military aristocracy.

Nikephoros II launched a series of campaigns against the Hamdanid Emirate, recapturing Tarsus, Adana, and other cities in Cilicia. He also invaded Syria, capturing Aleppo in 962. These victories expanded Byzantine territory.

Nikephoros II was assassinated in his palace by a conspiracy led by his nephew John Tzimiskes and his wife Theophano. He was stabbed to death in his bedchamber. John Tzimiskes then became emperor.